Commencing with dissension from within the Church, there arose rebellion in the land that led to civil strife and bloodshed. The rebellious who were driven from the land went into an alliance with the Lamanites by stirring them up to anger against the Nephites. Weakened by internal strife, the Nephites were driven from Zarahemla by the Lamanites, and bloody war raged in the land. This episode serves as an additional witness that strife and dissension from within, whether it be in church or state, weakens the institution and makes it vulnerable to attacks from without (see Helaman 1:18).